All-Star center Dwight Howard scored a game-high 27 points and powered the Orlando Magic to a 93-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
The Magic, who bullied Atlanta during a 4-0 best-of-seven sweep in last season’s playoffs, had to dig deep for a win in the first meeting this season between two of the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Orlando won by an average of 25.3 points in eliminating Atlanta during the second round of last season’s post-season, but the rematch saw a competitive contest throughout with the visitors taking a one-point lead with close to five minutes left.
Photo: Reuters
“We wanted to show the Orlando Magic that we could come in and make a game of it and not just hand them the game,” Hawks forward Josh Smith told reporters despite his team losing for the 11th time in 12 meetings with Orlando.
Jason Williams, playing in place of injured starting point guard Jameer Nelson (ankle), drained a go-ahead three-pointer with 4 minutes, 15 seconds remaining and Rashard Lewis scored less than a minute later to put Orlando (5-1) on top 86-82 en route to their fourth straight victory.
Vince Carter added 19 points, i-ncluding five points in the final 1 minute, 12 seconds to secure the win.
“If we’re going to continue to fight that hard even when the shots aren’t falling, then we have a chance to be really good,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I know we’re going to shoot the ball well at some point.”
Joe Johnson scored a team-high 23 points, while Smith put up 13 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta (6-2), which lost for the second straight night after beginning the season 6-0.
The Hawks fell 118-114 to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, but seemed to rebound early when they raced to a 13-point first--quarter advantage.
However, Orlando recovered with a 19-2 run between the first and second quarters.
Warriors 109, Raptors 102
In Toronto, Stephen Curry scored a season-high 34 points, while Monta Ellis added 28 as the Golden State Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors 109-102 on Monday.
Ellis, the NBA’s leading scorer, fell heavily after a collision under Toronto’s basket late in the fourth quarter. He remained down for several minutes before being helped up and walking slowly to the locker room. Ellis topped 25 points for the third time in seven games.
David Lee fouled out with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while -Andris Biedrins had eight points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who won their first road game in three tries.
Spurs 95, Bobcats 91
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Manu Ginobili scored 26 points, including a driving layup with 4.9 seconds left to end Charlotte’s late comeback bid as San Antonio held on for a win.
Surprising rookie Gary Neal added 15 points, Tim Duncan had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker had 12 points and eight assists for the Spurs, who nearly blew a nine-point lead with under 3 minutes left before securing their fourth straight win.
Charlotte, which was 31-10 at home last season en route to the franchise’ first playoff berth, fell to 0-3 on its home floor thanks to 40 percent shooting from the field.
Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw had 15 points apiece for the Bobcats, who dropped to 1-6.
Grizzlies 109, Suns 99
In Memphis, Tennessee, Zach Randolph had 23 points and 20 rebounds while Rudy Gay added 22 points to help Memphis defeat Phoenix.
Randolph was 9 of 16 from the field and led six Grizzlies in double figures. The points and rebounds were season highs for the Memphis forward, and the fifth 20-20 game in his career.
O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley scored 16 apiece for the Grizzlies, while rookie Xavier Henry scored 14 points off the bench. Marc Gasol finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Grant Hill led the Suns with 19 points, while Jason Richardson finished with 17. Hakim Warrick and Steve Nash had 16 points apiece.
Nash also had 11 assists.
Bulls 94, Nuggets 92
In Chicago, Derrick Rose scored 18 points, including eight during a furious fourth quarter rally, to help Chicago beat Denver.
Luol Deng added 17 points, while Taj Gibson had 16 points for the Bulls.
Denver led 80-74 with just under seven minutes left before Chicago went on a 16-6 run sparked by Rose.
Carmelo Anthony’s basket with 15.3 seconds left cut the Bulls’ lead to 90-88. Joakim Noah hit a free throw to extend the margin back to three points. Deng fouled Anthony, who made two free throws, to make it a one-point game with 11 seconds left.
Mavericks 89, Celtics 87
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, including the go-ahead jump shot with less than 20 seconds to play, as Dallas snapped Boston’s five-game winning streak.
Jason Terry added 17 points, while Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas.
Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 15 rebounds and Rajon Rondo had 11 points and 15 assists for the Celtics, who had won their last three trips to Dallas.
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